by Leah HyattPublic Relations
Seventy undergraduate students spent 10 weeks this summer conducting
biomedical research under the expert mentoring of MUSC faculty as a
part of the College of Graduate Studies’ Summer Undergraduate Research
Program (SURP).

From 12 states and the Virgin Islands, SURP participants gained
valuable hands-on research experience to prepare them for post-graduate
work and possible careers as clinical or translational scientists.

Participants chose a research area closely related to their academic
interests and professional goals and were paired with a faculty member.
Working at a graduate level, they dedicated at least 40 hours a week to
their research project which culminated in a research paper and
presentation.

Much of the research done by SURP students may contribute to scientific
publications after the summer ends. “Participants are often cited in
publications resulting from the research they do over the summer,” said
SURP program coordinator Debbie Shoemaker. “Last year SURP students
were listed as authors on at least 10 scientific publications.”

Bridget Peters, a rising junior at Spelman College in Atlanta,
conducted research alongside James S. Krause, Ph.D., associate dean of
clinical research and professor, College of Health Professions, and
scientific director of the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and
Lee Saunders, Ph.D., research associate, College of Health Professions.
Peters explored the prevalence of pressure ulcers in relation to the
socio-economic status of a person with spinal cord injuries.

Krause stressed the importance of Peters’ summer research. “Pressure
ulcers are the most costly secondary condition of spinal cord
injuries,” explained Krause. “They are associated with early mortality,
so looking at disparities in pressure ulcers related to socio-economic
status, race and other factors is very important and timely.”

Celina Ridgeway, a student at Voorhees College in Denmark, worked to
improve cancer knowledge among minority groups in South Carolina. She
helped conduct population-based cancer prevention and control research
at a cancer education training session on Johns Island in June, helped
enter and interpret the data, and based her final paper on the results
from the Johns Island session and seven other sessions that were held
in 2008-2009.

Ridgeway’s mentor Marvella E. Ford, Ph.D., associate professor of
biostatistics and epidemiology, also acknowledged the significance of
Ridgeway’s work. “South Carolina has some of the nation’s highest rates
of cancer disparities,” she said. “I think it’s good for the students
to see that the work they’re doing is of critical importance in helping
to reduce disparities.”

James A. Cook, Ph.D., professor of neurosciences, shared his excitement
about new findings that SURP participant Melissa Youssef helped
contribute as a part of the research team. “We’ve generated very
exciting results and new knowledge about cell signaling pathways,” said
Cook.

Youssef, a rising junior at Furman University, conducted research on
the immune response of cells in relation to beta-arrestin 1, a
signaling protein of the innate immune system. The research focused on
how it might inhibit inflammation leading to sepsis, a condition that
is the major cause of death in critical care patients. “This type of
research might lead to innovative ways to treat sepsis that currently
don’t exist,” said Cook.

Youssef applauded SURP as a great opportunity to get research experience in the laboratory.

“Furman [University] doesn’t have a large variety of clinical research
options, so I wanted to gain experience in the health care field this
summer at MUSC,” she said. “When I came into this, I really had no lab
experience. Now I feel really comfortable in the lab, which is good if
I want to get my Ph.D.”

Many involved with SURP believe that participation in this program
gives students an edge when applying to graduate school and while
earning an advanced degree. “Bridget will have an advantage getting
into school, and also, once she is accepted into school,” said Krause.
“She’ll have experiences that other people won’t have.”

The program is supported through various grants. “Students are funded
by a variety of mechanisms, which includes an NIH training grant, a
NASA training grant and a Department of Defense grant,” said Perry
Halushka, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the College of Graduate Studies.
“Faculty, departments and the College of Graduate Studies have also
provided significant fiscal support.”

Thursday, Aug. 7, 2009

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